Bindusara: The Second Ruler of the Mauryan Empire

Bindusara, whose reign lasted from approximately 298 BC to 273 BC, was a notable Indian emperor and the second ruler of the Maurya dynasty. He succeeded his father, Chandragupta Maurya, in ruling a vast and influential empire that covered a significant portion of the Indian subcontinent.

Bindusara continued the expansionist policies of his predecessor and further expanded the boundaries of the Maurya Empire. His reign saw the conquest of more territories and the subjugation of various regional powers. He was also known for his diplomatic skills, which helped maintain stability in the empire.

One of Bindusara’s most significant contributions was the consolidation of the administrative and political structures established by Chandragupta. His reign marked a period of cultural and economic growth as the Maurya Empire flourished under his leadership.

Bindusara’s reign paved the way for his famous son, Ashoka the Great, who later became one of India’s most famous and influential emperors. Bindusara’s legacy lives on as a key figure in ancient Indian history, noted for his contributions to the growth and stability of the Maurya Empire.

Bindusara

Introduction by Bindusara

Bindusara, known to the Greeks as “Amitrochates” (derived from the Sanskrit word “Amitraghata,” or slayer of enemies), is said to have carried his weapons to the Deccan, extending Mauryan control in the peninsular region of India as far south as Mysore.

Bindusar’s parents

Chandragupta Maurya was succeeded by his son Bindusara If Jain tradition is to be believed, his mother’s name was Durdhara.

Bindusara assumed the title of Amitraghat

The Greek historian Athenacus calls him Amitrochates (Sanskrit Amitraghata, “slayer of enemies” or Amitrakhada, “eater of enemies”). We don’t know how he got the title ‘Amitrochates’. Greek historians say little about the internal affairs of India in the days of Bindusara.

Minister Bindusara

The Jain scholar Hemachandra and the Tibetan historian Taranatha claim that Chanakya survived Chandragupta and continued as Bindusara’s minister.

Expansion of the Bindusara kingdom

According to Taranath, a Tibetan Buddhist monk who visited India in the 16th century, Bindusara conquered 16 states, including land.

between two seas, probably the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Early Tamil texts also mention a Mauryan invasion of the far south (Tamil Nadu and Kerala).

But on this basis, it is unreasonable to suppose that Bindusara could annex the southernmost part of India to the Mauryan Empire. But we are quite justified in saying that the Mauryan Empire under Bindusara extended as far south as Mysore (apart from literary evidence, the discovery of Asokan inscriptions as far south as Mysore and the fact that the Asokan inscriptions do not mention any campaign in southern India support our view) and that the far south probably recognized Mauryan sovereignty, though not forming part of it.

Bindusara kept his father’s kingdom intact

Bindusara does not seem to have reduced his father’s empire. Tradition credits him with suppressing the rebellion in Taxila. Whether he influenced any new conquests is uncertain. His empire must have included not only the greater part of northern India but also a considerable part of the Deccan, probably as far south as the Chitaldrug district of Mysore. The kingdom of Kalinga includes a large part of Puri. However, Ganjam and some adjoining tracts are known to have been independent.

Bindusara’s relations in the international field

Bindusara maintained friendly relations with the Hellenic world, which had been established in his father’s later days. Based on Greek sources, it is said that Bindusara asked the Syrian king Antiochus I of Syria to buy and send him sweet wine, dried figs, and a philosopher.” Thereupon the Syrian king replied, “We will send those figs and wine, but the Greek laws forbid to sell a philosopher.” Pliny mentions that Ptolemy Philadelphus of Egypt sent Dionysius as his ambassador to India.

Bindusara religion

In the religious sphere, Bindusara was more interested in the Ajivika sect than in other heterodox sects. There was a seer in Bindusara’s court, Ajivika Pingalavatsa, who, when Asoka was born, prophesied that he would become king.

Revolt of Taxila during the reign of Bindusara

The Asokavadana informs us that during the reign of Bindusara, there was a riot in Taxila when the citizens protested against the oppression of the higher officials. Bindusara sent Asoka to put an end to the rebellion, which he succeeded in doing. Because most Buddhist accounts speak of Asoka going straight

from Ujjain to Patliputra to seize the throne after his father’s death, it appears that his stay at Taxila preceded his appointment as Viceroy of Ujjain and that his appointment as Viceroy of Ujjain was in recognition of his good work at Taxila.

Bindusara’s family

Bindusara had a large family. In his fifth rock edict, Asoka states that he had several brothers and sisters. Two of these brothers are named in the Divyadana as Susima and Vigatasoka, whom the Sri Lankan chronicles call Summan and Tishya; the first was Asoka’s half-brother. Asoka’s mother’s name was Subhadrangi, or Dharma, and Tishya was his youngest brother.

Death of Bindusara

Bindusa died in 273–72 BCE, and Ashoka ascended the throne.

Conclusion

Ashokavadana suggests that Bindusara had 500 royal councilors. He names two officials—Khalataka and Radhagupta—who helped his son Ashoka become emperor after his death.

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